Alan Shearer believes Rasmus Hojlund is in an ‘unfair situation’ at Manchester United.
United’s £72 million acquisition in the summer has netted five times across four Champions League matches but hasn’t managed to score in nine Premier League games. Hojlund squandered two great opportunities in United’s 1-0 win against Luton Town on Saturday, eventually exiting the match due to a hamstring injury. Despite considering Harry Kane, United chose Hojlund from Atalanta. Shearer suggests that adding another striker to Erik ten Hag’s squad is necessary to lighten the load on the Danish international.
‘Well he [Hojlund] hasn’t set Old Trafford alight yet, has he?’Alan Shearer told Premier League Productions.
‘In terms of his performances, he’s certainly been better in Europe than he has been in the Premier League.
‘I like his movement, yes, he’s very raw. It’s probably an unfair situation to be putting him in.
‘Ideally, you’d like to drip-feed him in, put him in for one or two, bring him out, bring him on for half an hour, leave him out the next game.
‘Ideally you’d like a big hitter, a big-name centre forward in that team rather than relying on him because clearly at the minute he’s not able to deliver that.
‘There’s huge pressure on him because of the price tag, not his fault I know, but unfortunately that’s what happens, you’re judged particularly when you’re paying a lot of money for a player that’s going into one of, if not the biggest clubs in the world.
‘You’re expected to deliver, not next season, but they need him to deliver now, which is probably going to be too much on him. When you put all that together, it’s harsh on him.
‘Other players have to stand up, the money that has been spent at that football club, even since Ten Hag has been there, it’s around £400 million, Antony, we’ve mentioned Marcus Rashford, Martial is still there, it’s not going to be a simple fix at Manchester United this season, I know they got into the top four, I know they won a trophy last season, I know they got to a cup final, but certainly their recruitment in the summer and what they’ve got at this moment in time, it’s not going to happen for them this season.’